MAXIMS OF LAW .

MAXIM
An established principle or proposition.

A principle of law universally admitted, as being a correct statement of the law, or as agreeable to natural reason.

Coke defines a maxim to be “conclusion of reason,” and says that it is so called “quia maxima ejus dignitas et certissima auctorir tas, et quod maxime omnibus probetur.”

Co. Litt. llo. He says in another place: “

A maxime is a proposition to be of all men confessed and granted without proof, argument, or discourse.” Id. 67o.

The maxims of the law, in Latin, French, and English, will be found distributed through this book In their proper alphabetical order.

Maxime paci sunt contraria vis et injuria.

The greatest enemies to peace are force and wrong. Co. Litt. 1616.

Maximus erroris populus magister.

Bacon.
The people is the greatest master of error. “MAY,” in the construction of public statutes, is to be construed “must” in all cases where the legislature mean to impose a positive and absolute duty, and not merely to give a discretionary power.
Minor v. Mechanics’ Bank, 1 Pet. 415, 64, 7 L. Ed. 47; New York v. Furze, 3 Hill (N. Y.) 612, 615.

These maxims are the foundation and principles of the laws that man passes today. Unfortunately, men enforce their own will more than they enforce law.

So, this is why, in addition to knowing God’s Law, it is also important to know man’s law, because man’s law is based upon God’s Law. And when you are accused of “breaking the law,” you can do what Jesus did, and use both God’s Law and man’s law to justify your lawful acts, for this is the only thing that will excuse you.

It is important to distinguish between commercial law and maxims of law, when quoting from their law. We should never, ever quote their codes, rules, regulations, ordinances, statutes, common law, merchant law, public policies, constitutions, etc., because these are commercial in nature, and if we use their commercial law, they can presume we are engaged in commerce (which means we are of the world), which will nullify our witness (because we are not of the world).

Maxims of law are not commercial law, but are mostly based upon scripture and truth.